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Elephas always searches your documents on your computer. What you choose is where the answer is written: by Elephas AI, included with your plan; by a provider you pay directly with your own API key; or by Local AI, a model running on your computer. You control where AI runs, and you can switch at any time in Settings › AI.

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Before you start

  • Sign in, and have an Elephas trial or plan. All three options need one. See Plans and pricing.
  • In a Team workspace, the Team Owner’s AI policy decides what is allowed. See Team AI policy.

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Compare the options

Indexing happens on your computer. Always. Your files and your library are never uploaded to any AI, whichever option you choose. See What data is sent to AI.

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Steps

1

Open Settings › AI

Press ⌘, on Mac or Ctrl+, on Windows, then click AI. Under How Elephas answers, each option is a card that says in one line where your question and sources go.
2

Click the option you want

  • Elephas AI (included with your plan) works right away, or after a one-time Activate Elephas AI on this device. See Elephas AI.
  • My own AI account opens your list of providers. Choosing an account switches to it. See Use your own API key.
  • Local (on this computer) asks to download a model the first time, for example Download Qwen 4B, 2.6 GB?. Until you click Download, your previous option stays in use. See Run Local AI.
3

Check the answer

Ask a question. The chat bar names the AI that answered: Answered by: Elephas AI, Answered by: OpenAI · GPT-5 for your own key, or Answered by: This computer · Qwen 4B for Local AI.
The steps are the same on Mac and Windows.

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How it works

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Which option to choose

  • Choose Elephas AI if you want good answers with no setup and no separate bill.
  • Choose your own API key if you already pay for an AI provider, want a specific model, or want your data to go straight to a provider you have an agreement with. Elephas is not in the path.
  • Choose Local AI for documents that should not leave your computer at all, or for working without internet. Answers are slower and simpler.
A common setup is Local AI for client files and Elephas AI for everything else. The setting is a single choice, so switch it in Settings › AI when you change work.

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Switching never deletes anything

Switching away from your own key keeps the key in your system keychain. Switching away from Local AI keeps the model on your computer. Come back at any time without setting up again.

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The plan check for your own key and Local AI

Your own key and Local AI need an Elephas trial or plan. Elephas checks your plan online before using them. A passed check lasts up to 60 minutes and is cleared when you restart Elephas. The check sends only a device ID, never your key, questions or documents. If Elephas can’t reach its service when a check is due, Ask says Elephas could not confirm your plan right now. Check your connection and try again. See Use Elephas offline.

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In a Team workspace

Team questions use Elephas AI under the Team’s AI policy, or Local AI if the policy allows it. Your own API key is never used for Team content, even if it is your current setting. See Team AI policy.

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Troubleshooting

The card says Not enough free memory on this computer. Your computer can’t run even the smallest local model. Use Elephas AI or your own key. See Local AI troubleshooting.
Your trial or plan has ended, or you are signed out. Your key, models and Brains are unchanged. Choose a plan in Settings › Plan & Billing. See When your plan ends.
Switch to your own API key or Local AI to keep asking, or wait for the reset date. See AI allowance used up.

What data is sent to AI

Elephas AI

Use your own API key

Run Local AI